The flexible nature of platform work became increasingly important to many during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being able to sign up and begin earning quickly, and even receive those earnings within days, was essential for many who found themselves unexpectedly without other sources of income. 

As demand for delivery grows, we want to ensure that the Uber Eats platform can continue to be a source of flexible, accessible and safe earnings. We understand that delivery people face unique challenges on the road, so we are focused on developing safety features tailored to their specific needs.  

As part of this, we are today announcing a range of new safety initiatives aimed at helping delivery people stay safe on our roads, including new in-app tech features and education modules which have been built specifically for the Australian market. 

Helmet detection and Bike safety checklist

From today we will roll out a new global first helmet detection feature to help confirm that bicycle delivery people are wearing a helmet before they can start delivering with the Uber app. 

From today, when a delivery person riding a bicycle logs online to the app each day, they will be asked to review a visual safety checklist. This serves as a reminder on the necessary precautions, such as checking tires, brakes and gears, using safety equipment and following road rules before accepting deliveries. This is launching first in Australia, with plans to roll this out globally in the coming months. 

Providing access to resources that support safe deliveries

From March, we will begin rolling out access to free Bicycle Safety Kits for delivery people, which include a reflective safety vest, bike lights and reflectors, a bell and a mobile phone holder.

In addition, we’re also working on a partnership to offer discounted motorbike equipment to motorbike and scooter delivery people through a leading motorbike equipment provider. 

New and enhanced safety training and support

We are constantly iterating and improving, and our education modules on two-wheeler safety, risk mitigation, driver awareness of bicyclists, and safer streets are currently being reviewed by third party experts including We Ride Australia and Bicycle QLD.  

We will also be shortly rolling out a Delivery person impairment course, which in addition to features like our fatigue management feature will further mitigate against the risks of riding or driving when fatigued or under the influence, and must be completed annually. In coming months we will also continue to do our part to help improve road safety more broadly with all Uber rideshare drivers and delivery people who drive cars receiving education related to bicycle safety that was developed in partnership globally with road safety advocates. This is in addition to the Bike Lane Alerts feature we rolled out in 2019 to help motorists and Uber passengers keep cyclists safe. 

In 2018, Uber Eats led the way with our insurance support package and Converge counselling package, which helps delivery people if something goes wrong while they are using the app. While this partner support package is in place if something goes wrong, we are committed to doing everything we can to prevent incidents on our roads in the first place. 

Naturally, road safety is a complex area, and is one that requires collaboration and consultation between experts, academia, industry and government. We will continue to work closely with governments, bodies such as ANCAP, policymakers and transport experts as to how we can improve safety on our roads. 

Uber is committed to road safety and we are constantly pushing to build products and raise awareness about practices that can lead to safer streets for all – regardless of the mode of travel.